In an age where many of the boundary-pushing and innovative design houses have toned down and become more literal, or shifted focus to a particular trademark, 26-year-old Gareth Pugh sticks out like a sore thumb, in the best of ways.

Native to the UK, Pugh got his start at an early age, doing costume design for the English National Youth Theatre. As he progressed and graduated from the esteemed Central Saint Martins for fashion design, his work became increasingly popular on a local level. He was highlighted early on by forward-thinking fashion magazine ‘Dazed and Confused’ for his stand-out designs, and this helped expose him to a wider audience.

His first solo showing was at London Fashion Week for the Fall/Winter 2006 collections and there has been enormous buzz ever since. Be it admiration for his craft, or people criticizing his work as being unwearable, the interest is undeniable.

He challenges convention by literally taking the silhouette to new heights with his extravagant cuts and shapes. By using bold geometrics, he creates multi-dimensional clothing. Not only does he shift the perception of the silhouette, but many of his garments actually are wearable sculptures.

Some label Pugh as too costume-y. However, there are many fans and admirers out there who recognize his innovation, wear his clothing and support him, including celebrities such as Kylie Minogue.

Pugh continues to push the envelope with each passing season, and it seems inevitable that this extraordinary designer will take his fans and observers on an exciting ride as his career evolves.